The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-11-08
AN ARKANSAS TRAGEDY.
SENSATIONAL ARREST YESTERDAY
MORNING AT DUFFY'S HOTEL.
James Baker Young White Man, Sur
prised by Sheriff Killough-His Crime
the Killing of w. II. Moore, a Relative
by Marriage-His Statement.

twenty-five years Of age, was arrested at
Dunys hotel in very sensational man
per. The crime laid at his door, and
which lac does not deny, is the killing Of
W. II. Moore, justice Of the peace of Cross
county Ark, ON the LIST Of September
last. The capture Of Baker was effected
by sheriff killough, Of Cross county, as
listed by Chief Davis, in very unex-
pcctcd and sensational manner.
Sheriff Klough was stopping at Duflys
hotel. waiting for the train that was 10
lake him to Virginia, where he was going
On "A vacation from business and 10 visit
relatives. lie was standing nj the desk OF
he hotel, talking TO the clerk, when Baker
zane in. lie started nj sight Of the sheriff,
became nervous and agitatcd, and nj once
moved hunicdly toward q side door. The
officer secured pistol from his yalisc, fol-
lowed the Young man mpidly,and when the
excited spectators came upon the two they
iound Sheriff killough holding his weapon
In the face Of the young fellow. The lat
ber was frightened almost 10 death, and
begged pitcously 20 he released stating
Mat no one would he the wiser, but II was
bf no avail. His captor had Chief Of
Police Davis called, and turned him over
~ that official The curiosity Of the crowd
was then gmtifcd by relation of the
crime for which the young man was ar
rested.
his CRIME.
lie and W. II. Moore, both living nj
Tyronza, in Gross county, near the Crit
tcndcn line, and in the same house, had
been nj loggerhcads for some time.
Moore was justice Of the peace and mid
die aged man. Bakers brother was mar
ricd 10 his oldest daughter. Trouble be-
tween the two grew warmer until IL ne
suited in Mooe's life being taken. lie
was driving along on the morning Of Sep
TENDER / when Baker, who knew OF his
movements and had stationed himself be-
hind a tree poured the contents OF n Win
chester rifle into his body The murderer
then disappeared and had not been seen
by the officers until yesterday.
The young prisoner ~ worthless fellow. |
Several yoan AGO he killed n boy named
Coleman, and Is under indictment now for
murder in the iirst degree, Why that case
has not come 20 trial N mystery.
TnE MuRDERER's STATEMENT.
Trouble between Moore and myself has |
beer q long standing. About two years |
seo my brother ran OH with his daughter |
and they were married. The old man |
held me responsible for their marriage, |
and he had threatened a. take my life scy.
cral times, aud not until the morning Of
September did he ever try 10 put his ter
riblc threat into execution. II WIS about
Z o'clock ON that morning when Mr.. Moore
and myself accidentally met ON the public |
road; Inc was Ia buggy and | was riding |
mule, had Winchester rifle thrown |
across my shoulder. When lac saw IL lac
called 10 me 10 put away my weapon
replied 90 him, saying that ! would let II
remain where II WIS, as hc was armed, aud
j had ~ much right TO carry arms IN lac
did. lie said nothing more, but put his
hand IN hs back pocket and pulled pis.
tol and attempted to shoot me, but ! WIS
too quick ior him, and ! lcycllcd my Win.
chester and fired, the ball entering his
back under the lett shoulder. lie got out
Of his buggy and staggered against the
fence, when be- again raised his pistol
and attempted "a shuut, but IL
missed fiW, and put three morn
balls into his body lie died with.
out uttcring n word. II Wis INV intcn-
ton after committing the deed to sur
render myself 90 the authorities, but my
friends advised mc TO leave the county Tor
lew weeks at least took their advice
and crs-od the s. Francis river the
evening after thc killing and have been nj
hhcriy until th,- morning, when Sheriff
kilourh, w tr-s county, Ark, saw me
IN Duiiys hotel and arrested me. 10
not rcpui tho killing anl do moi, fear
trial. ~ haN, several witnesses Who will
testify o. 10 the way WIS prosecuted
while Mr. Mour held the office Of Justice
al The peace, lie iHsucd warrants Tor my
afrcsi and would fine me ON the testimony
OF his SONS. whom be- knew were my enc.
mites sheriff Werner arrived In tile city
yesterday, and left with the prisoner for